Block placing apparatus



Aug. 23, 1938.

A. w. WARNER ET AL BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25', 1936 7 ShetsSheet l Aug. 23, 1938. I A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 23,1938. w WARNER r AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1936 '7' Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 23,1938. A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lq E -i 46I 49 mv glllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ll115% y Jzwerafirs r/ Rosana EBaZwJ Aug. 23, 1938- A. w. WARNER ET AL2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING. APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffzwsnirsi Aug. 23; 1938. A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 23,1938. A. w. WAR NER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I N -e T rF i I N r tT (x/L4 I J m n a N it N O J) h N N N I Patented Aug. 23,1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS ApplicationJune 23, 1936, Serial No'. 86,864

7 Claims.

This invention relates to block-placing apparatus for tunnel-formingmachines, and more particularly to the production of an apparatus forplacing blocks in'tunneling machines of the type shown in our priorPatent No. 1,917,170, of July 4, 1933, for Method of and apparatus forforming tunnels.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character which will provide for placement of the blocks againstthe end of the previously formed tunnel wall and which at the same timewill not in any way interfere with continuous spoils-removal from themining zone.

In the apparatus of our prior patent, the tunneling apparatus comprisesa shield having at one end a series of jacks adapted to engage againstthe formed tunnel wall and at its opposite end aifording miners quartersoccupied by the miner removing the spoil from the face of the cut. Aconveyer extends from this miners space rearwardly through the shieldand has its rear end projecting into the formed tunnel, the conveyerinclining upwardly as it progresses 5 rearwardly so that its rear endmay be disposed above the spoils removal car; accordingly,'at the rearend of the tunneling shield it is disposed at a substantial elevationand interferes seriously with use of any ordinary block-placingapparatus.

An important object of this invention is the provision of ablock-placing apparatus so constructed that the spoils conveyer may bepassed therethrough and the block-placing apparatus operated without inany way interfering with the operation of the spoils conveyer.

The tunnel walls formed by the apparatus of said prior patent consist ofannular series of wall units, a series of jacks being employedcomprising a jack for each unit of the series, these jacks embodyingmechanism whereby they may either exert only a holding pressure upon theblock to hold it against the face of the formed wall, or apply suchpressure to the blocks and the previously formed. wall so that theblocks are firmly seated and the tunneling shield advanced in the bore.The blocks, in order to provide waterproof joints, have tongue andgroove engagement with one another and the blocks themselves are oftapered construction interfitting with one another in the series so thatin order to place the blocks it is necessary that the block be seatedagainst the skirt of the shield while still in spaced relation to thepreviously formed wall.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of ablock-placing apparatus which will not only place the block against theshield skirt in spaced relation to the previously formed wall, but willlikewise hold the block against this skirt during the period when thejacks are forcing the block into its final position.

. Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction ofthis character which will provide for accurate placement of the blocksand is capable of manipulation of blocks of great weight.

These and other objects we attain by the construction shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, we haveshown a preferred embodiment of our invention and wherein:

. Figure 1 is a sectional view showing a portion of a tunneling shieldwhich includes block-placing and spoils delivery apparatus constructedin accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the block-placing apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrating the position ofthe parts when the block is in engagement with the tunnel wall;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the block-placing apparatusincluding a diagrammatic showing of the connections of the operatingmotor; 1

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the con- 1 trol of the jackmechanism of the tunneling shield;

Fig. '7 is a section taken through one of the jacks of said jackmechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic View showing the connections to the variousoperating elements of the block-placing apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I0generally designates a tun.- neling shield having arranged therein anupwardly and rearwardly inclining spoils conveyer l I. The tunnelingmachine illustrated comprises an annular series of jacks I! which aremore clearly shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and which are fully and completelydescribed in our prior patent above mentioned. For the purpose of thepresent application, it will suflice to say-that the jacks comprise .anadvancing ram l3 through which high pressure may be applied to theblocks of the tunnel wall, such ram 13 being hollow and having a head I4 which is independently advanceable through constantly applied lowpressure on a piston I5 operating in the hollow ram. The head and ramare equipped with a latch mechanism l5 which normally locks the head inits retracted position but which may be readily released to permit thehead to project.

In laying up the wall course with the apparatus just described, theblocks. are placed in position against or adjacent the previously laidwall course, the latches I6 are released, and the heads advanced to holdthe block in its position. After the course has been laid up, it isfirmly seated by applying power through the jacks, manifolding mechanismsuch as that diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 and specifically describedin our prior patent above mentioned being employed to effect thisoperation. Obviously, where the tunnel is of small diameter and theblocks are, accordingly, small, they may be placed by hand, but inlarger tunnels the blocks will often be of such weight that they cannotbe handled in this manner.

We provide at the rear of the shield, standards arranged at oppositesides of the spoils conveyer, and upon these standards mount projecting,trunnions |8 bearing rollers l9 adapted to engage in a peripheral groove2|l formed in a rotatable block placer support 2|. The inner edge of thegroove of the support 2| is formed as a gear 22 meshing with a pinion 23driven by a motor 24 at present illustrated as a reversible fluid motor.Brake mechanism 25 is provided for braking the shaft of the fiuidmotorat all times when not in operation so that the rotatable support may besecurely held in adjusted positions. In the present instance, this brakemechanism is illustrated as including a shoe-type brake 26spring-pressed against a disc 21 by the spring 28 which extends betweenthe shoe and a cylinder 29, the piston of which cylinder has the shoe 25mounted upon the rod thereof. A valve 30 is provided forselectivelydelivering fluid pressure to the motor to cause operation ofthe motor in either direction, and to connect the lower end of the brakecylinder with the atmosphere when the valve is not positioned to supplyfluid pressure to the motor so that. at each operation of the motor thebrake is released and between operations it is applied. Indicatormechanism may be provided, as shown at 32, to accurately show theposition occupied by the rotary support.

' The support 2|aifords bearings 33 upon which is pivotally mounted oneend of a substantially rectangular frame 34, spring mechanism 35 beingprovided to normally maintain the frame 34 in engagement with the outerface of the support 2 l. The frame 34 mounts at opposite sides thereof apair of fluid pressure cylinders 36, these cylinders being connected tothe frame at their lower ends as indicated at 31 and at their upper endsengaginga head 38 which is mounted on guides 39 operating throughbearings 40 carried by the frame. Through conduits 4| connecting theupper and lower. ends of these cylinders and through a four-way valve42, the head may be either ex'tendedor retracted, as desired.

The head 38 has pivotally connected thereto at43 av clamp body 44, therebeing co-acting stops at 45 upon the head and clamp body to limitrotation of the clamp body in one direction and a springq lfi, betweenthe clamp body and the head to normally urge the head in this direction.The clamp'body mounts clamping elements 41 and 48, of which the formeris at present illustrated as fixed, and the latter movable, having arack 49 which is engaged by the segment 50, rotated through a fluidpressure cylinder 5| which is in turn controlled through a four-wayvalve 52 so that the clamp elements 41 and 48 may be separated or drawntogether as desired.

Beneath the block-placing mechanism consisting of the support 2| and theelements carried thereby, as just described, we preferably arrange ablock platform 53 which we at present illustrate as pivoted at 54 sothat it may be swung back out of the way when a block is to be placed inalignment therewith. The blocks may be supplied to this block platformfrom a block support 55 provided at the forward end of a spoils car 55.

In Fig. 1 the apparatus is illustrated with a block already positionedupon the clamp 44 and locked thereto through the application of power tothe cylinder 5|. Since, with the parts as illustrated in these figures,a block is aligned with the block-placer in its present position, it isnecessary that the motor 24 be actuated to position the placer in radialalignment with an opening where a block has not as yet been placed. Whenthis has been accomplished and the placer is locked against rotarymovement by the brake 25, the valve 42 is actuated to extend the head 38until the block comes into engagement with the shield skirt Ilia. Atthis time, the frame 34 will lie against the adjacent face of the rotarysupport 2| and the block will be aligned with a jack l2. The head of thealigned jack is now released and extends into engagement with the block,forcing the block before it into its position against the previouslyformed wall. Since the cylinders 36 are constantly exerting pressure tomove the block outwardly and the clamp 44 is pivoted at 43 upon the head38, the block remains in flat engagement with the shield as it reaches 1its final position. The clamp-actuating cylinder 5| is now operatedthrough valve 52 to release the clamp, and the application of power incylinders 36 is reversed to withdraw the head to its normal positionduring which time, and immediately after release of the clamp elements41, 48 from the block, the spring means 35 will act to return the frame34 to its position against the front face of the rotary support 2|. Themotor 24 is now actuated to align the clamp with the block in positionupon platform 53; the head is extended to engage the clamp with theblock; the clamp is actuated to grasp the block; and the'blo'ck islifted and rotated to the position in which it is to be applied. All ofthese operations may be carried out without in any way interfering withoperation of the spoils delivery so that the work is very materiallyexpedited.

The blocks employed are preferably of the type illustrated in our priorPatent No. 1,866,242, issued July 5, 1932, for Method of forming tunnelwalls and unit for use therein, having a tongue and groove connectionwith one another at 51. Theblock as illustrated in the aforesaid patentis preferably modified to the extent that grooves 58 are providedtherein at one side of this tongue and groove connection to permit theclamp elements 41, 48 to engage therein without interfering with properengagement of the block against either the tunnel face or the jack head.

Since the construction illustrated is capable of considerablemodification without departing from the spirit of our invention, we donot wish to be"understoodas limiting ourselves thereto except ashereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising ashield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at itsrear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series anddisposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof,said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surroundingthe tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoilsconveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to theshield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member,means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open andclose the same, and means to rotate said member.

2. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising ashield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at itsrear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series anddisposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof,said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surroundingthe tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoilsconveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to theshield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member,means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open andclose the same, a fiuid-pressure-operated motor to rotate said member, afluid-pressure-operated brake to hold the member in adjusted positions,and a valve to alternately supply fluid pressure to said motor andbrake.

3. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising ashield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at itsrear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series anddisposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof,said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surroundingthe tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoilsconveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to theshield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member,means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open andclose the same, and means to rotate said member, the connections betweensaid clamp and member being constructed and arranged to permitoscillation of the clamp.

4. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising ashield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at itsrear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series anddisposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof,said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surroundingthe tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoilsconveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to theshield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member,means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open andclose the same, a fluid-pressure-operated motor to rotate said member, afluid-pressure-operated brake to hold the member in adjusted positions,and a valve to alternately supply fluid pressure to-said motor andbrake, the connections between said clamp and member being constructedand arranged to permit oscillation of the clamp.

5. The construction of claim 1 wherein the clamp is carried by a framewhich likewise has an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer,said frame being pivoted to said member upon a pivot paralleling thegeneral plane of the member and disposed at one side of the member.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a frame is pivoted to themember at one side thereof and upon a pivot paralleling the generalplane of the member, a head carried by the frame at that end thereofremote from the pivot and supporting the clamp, and means are providedfor radially moving said head.

'7. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a frame is pivoted to themember at one side thereof and upon a pivot paralleling the generalplane of the member, a head carried by the frame at that end thereofremote from the pivot and supporting the clamp, and means are providedfor radially moving said head, the clamp being pivotally connected tosaid head and means to yieldably maintain the clamp in one position withrelation to the head.

ARTHUR W. WARNER. ROSCOE: F. BALLARD.

